Chimney
Rock Archaeological Area {Anasazi} (sw of Pagosa Springs, CO)
[** NPE]
Principal Ruins: Great House, Guardhouse, Great Kiva (and many other structures
scattered over the area).
Access: 3 miles south of U.S. Hwy 160 on Colorado
highway 151 (20 miles southwest of Pagosa Springs). Only available on guide
tours (4 tours per day; $3/adult) mid-May to mid-September.
Information: 970-264-2268.

Mesa Verde National Park
{Anasazi} [*****]
Principal Ruins: many cliff dwellings, the largest being Cliff
Palace, Fire Temple,
Balcony House, Spruce
Tree House, Step House,
Long House, New Fire
House, many pueblo and pit-house
ruins.
Access: Most ruins are accessible through self-guided hikes, but Balcony House
and Cliff
Palace are only accessible through ranger-led hikes. Tickets for these
tours must be purchased (for a negligible fee) at the FarViewVisitorCenter
desk, and only one ruin may be toured per day, so if you want to see both
sites, plan on staying for two days. Walks to mesa-top ruins and canyon
overlooks are generally level and easy, but entering the cliff dwellings is
fairly strenuous (Balcony House requires a climb up a 32-foot ladder to enter
and crawling through a 10-foot-long tunnel to exit). However, Spruce
Tree House and Step House
are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers (though the trails are still
steep). In addition, excellent views of most of the cliff dwellings can be had
from the opposing canyon rims. In addition to the ranger-guided tours,
concessionaire-run bus tours are available certain May through mid-September.
Information: Far View Visitor's Center and ChapinMesaMuseum. Contact
Superintendent, Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330.
Phone 970-529-4461/4475. Related
WWW Page

Mitchell Springs
Ruins Group {Anasazi} [NPE]
Principal Ruins: 30 prehistoric sites, mostly unexcavated, that were occupied
over 500 years which included a Basketmaker III component followed by three
subsequent Pueblo
periods. The final abandonment of the area occurred during the 13th century.
Access: Located at the outskirts of Cortez, Colorado near the head of McElmoCanyon.
Information: Free tours of the ruins may be arranged in May and June during the
excavation period by calling (970)565-8760.

Ute
Mountain Tribal Park {Anasazi} (south of Mesa Verde NP) [***NPE]
Principal Ruins: Tree House; Lion House; Morris V; also kiva at Eagle's Nest.
Many others. Also Ute pictographs also.
Access: full day and half-day tours guided by Ute Mountain Utes are available
daily, leaving the Ute Mountain Visitor Center 22 miles south of Cortez on U.S.
Hwy 666. Use your own car, but make sure you have a full tank of gas (ruins are
40 miles off the paved roads) and bring lunch and drinking water. Day hikes
(guided?) are also available. Confirmed reservations are required for all
tours.
Information: Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Towoac, CO 81224. Phone 970-565-3751
ext. 282 or 1-800-847-5485.